Simple Grilled Mackerel - Saba Shioyaki

Easy Japanese Grilled Mackerel seasoned with salt and sake.

This oven-baked Grilled Mackerel, also known as Saba Shioyaki, is an easy and flavorful fish dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It features mackerel fillets seasoned with sake and kosher salt, complemented by daikon radish and a squeeze of lemon.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Servings: 2

Full Ingredient List

  • 2 mackerel (saba) fillets (10 oz total)
  • 2 tablespoons sake
  • 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 inch daikon radish (grated)
  • 1 wedge lemon
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Grilled Mackerel

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
2 fillets (10 oz total) Mackerel (saba) fillets
2 tablespoons Sake
1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher salt sea salt

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Coat mackerel fillets with sake.
  2. Step 2: Pat the fillets dry with paper towels and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle both sides of the fish with kosher salt.
  4. Step 4: Let the fish sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). (Tips: Reduce the temperature by 25°F (15°C) if using a convection oven.)
  5. Step 5: Pat dry any moisture released from the fish.
  6. Step 6: Place the fish skin side down on the parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes until the flesh is golden brown.

Serving Garnish

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
1 inch, grated Daikon radish Peel and grate using a ceramic grater, squeeze out most of the liquid
1 wedge Lemon Cut in half
1 teaspoon Soy sauce Drizzle on grated daikon tamari

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and grate the daikon radish, squeezing out most of the liquid.
  2. Step 2: Serve the grilled mackerel with grated daikon and a lemon wedge on the side. Drizzle soy sauce over the daikon as a condiment. (Tips: Preparation of the additional garnishes is quick, so this can be done while the mackerel is resting.)

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 272
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 1 g

Additional Information

Notes: To store leftovers, place the fish in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Background: Saba Shioyaki is a traditional Japanese dish often enjoyed as part of a bento or as a main dish in meals, particularly in Japan and Japanese restaurants worldwide.

Geographic Region: Japan

Seasonality: Year-round

Occasion: Everyday dinner

Recommended Pairings

  • Steamed rice
  • Miso soup
  • Green tea salad

Tags

Japanese Main Dish Seafood Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Pescatarian Healthy Quick Weeknight Meal Traditional Japanese Bento Low Carb